Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 5
Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius & Novatian
SECTION 161
XLVII.
XLVII. At last the assembly is dissolved, the spectacle of this life ceaseth: its deceit and its semblance are passed away. Cleave to me, to whom every knee boweth, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth. For all who have been negligent, and have not shown pity in well-doing there, have nothing els…
2,212 wordsSECTION 162Canons of the Church of Alexandria.
34. Of the sober behaviour of the secular [2068] in church. [2069] 35. That deacons may pronounce the benediction and thanksgiving at the love-feasts when a bishop is not present. [2070] 36. Of the first-fruits of the earth, and of vows. [2071] 37. When a bishop celebrates the holy communion (Synaxis), [2072] the presbyters w…
815 wordsSECTION 163Canon Fourth. Of the ordination of a presbyter.
Canon Fourth. Of the ordination of a presbyter. Canon Fifth. Of the constituting a deacon. Canon Sixth. Of those who have suffered for the faith. Canon Seventh. Of him who is elected reader and sub-deacon. Canon Eighth. Of the gift of healings. Canon Ninth. That a presbyter should not dwell in unbefitting places; and of the…
2,276 wordsSECTION 1646. I am not anxious to conceal the fact that I profoundly sympathize with the free spirit, the true benignity, and the moral purity which ar
6. I am not anxious to conceal the fact that I profoundly sympathize with the free spirit, the true benignity, and the moral purity which are everywhere reflected in the writings of Cyprian. If ever American Romanism becomes sufficiently enlightened and purified to comprehend this great Carthaginian Father, and to speak in his t…
2,629 wordsSECTION 1653. The apostle's epistle says [2098] that novices should be passed over, lest by the stupor of heathenism that yet clings to their unconfirm
3. The apostle's epistle says [2098] that novices should be passed over, lest by the stupor of heathenism that yet clings to their unconfirmed minds, their untaught inexperience should in any respect sin against God. He first, and I think he alone, furnished an illustration that greater progress is made by faith than by time. Fo…
2,422 wordsSECTION 16610. I omit many other matters, and, indeed, many important ones, which the necessity of a limited space does not permit to be detailed in mo
10. I omit many other matters, and, indeed, many important ones, which the necessity of a limited space does not permit to be detailed in more lengthened discourse, and concerning which this much is sufficient to have been said. But if the Gentiles could have heard these things as they stood before the rostrum, they would probab…
2,523 wordsSECTION 16716. At last that other day dawned--that destined, that promised, that divine day--which, if even the tyrant himself had wished to put off, h
16. At last that other day dawned--that destined, that promised, that divine day--which, if even the tyrant himself had wished to put off, he would not have had any power to do so; the day rejoicing at the consciousness of the future martyr; and, the clouds being scattered throughout the circuit of the world, the day shone upon …
1,331 wordsSECTION 168Epistle I. [2112]
Epistle I. [2112] To Donatus. Argument.--Cyprian Had Promised Donatus that He Would Have a Discourse with Him Concerning Things Divine, and Now Being Reminded of His Promise, He Fulfils It. Commending at Length the Grace of God Conferred in Baptism, He Declares How He Had Been Changed Thereby; And, Finally, Pointing Out the Er…
2,609 wordsSECTION 1699. Oh, if placed on that lofty watch-tower you could gaze into the secret places--if you could open the closed doors of sleeping chambers, a
9. Oh, if placed on that lofty watch-tower you could gaze into the secret places--if you could open the closed doors of sleeping chambers, and recall their dark recesses to the perception of sight,--you would behold things done by immodest persons which no chaste eye could look upon; you would see what even to see is a crime; yo…
2,314 wordsSECTION 170Epistle II. [2127]
[2112] In the Oxford edition this epistle is given among the treatises. [2113] Wearying, scil. "fatigantis." [2114] "Fabulis." [Our "Thanksgiving Day" = the "Vindemia."] [2115] [A lover of gardens and of nature. The religion of Christ gave a new and loftier impulse to such tastes universally. Vol. ii. p. 9.] [2116] [Another …
1,373 wordsSECTION 171Epistle III. [2137]
Epistle III. [2137] To the Presbyters and Deacons Abiding at Rome. a.d. 250. Argument.--This is a Familiar and Friendly Epistle; So that It Requires No Formal Argument, Especially as It Can Be Sufficiently Gathered from the Title Itself. The Letter of the Roman Clergy, to Which Cyprian is Replying, is Missing. 1. Cyprian to t…
935 wordsSECTION 172Epistle V. [2143]
Epistle V. [2143] To the Presbyters and Deacons. Argument.--The Argument of This Letter is Nearly the Same as that of the Preceding One, Except that the Writer Directs the Confessors Also to Be Admonished by the Clergy of Their Duty, to Give Attention to Humility, and Obey the Presbyters and Deacons. His Own Retirement Inciden…
1,294 wordsSECTION 173Epistle VI. [2154]
Epistle VI. [2154] To Rogatianus the Presbyter, and the Other Confessors. a.d. 250. Argument.--He Exhorts Rogatianus and the Other Confessors to Maintain Discipline, that None Who Had Confessed Christ in Word Should Seem to Deny Him in Deed; Casually Rebuking Some of Them, Who, Being Exiled on Account of the Faith, Were Not Af…
1,661 wordsSECTION 174Epistle VII. [2175]
Epistle VII. [2175] To the Clergy, Concerning Prayer to God. Argument.--The Argument of the Present Epistle is Nearly the Same as that of the Two Preceding, Except that He Exhorts in This to Diligent Prayer. 1. Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his brethren, greeting. Although I know, brethren beloved, that from the fear…
2,211 wordsSECTION 175Epistle VIII. [2197]
[2183] Ps. lxviii. 6. [Vulgate and Anglican Psalter version.] [2184] Acts iv. 32. [2185] John xv. 12. [2186] Matt. xviii. 19. [2187] [After the manner of Hermas. Vol. ii. p. 24, note 2.] [2188] Heb. xii. 6. [2189] Col. iv. 2. [2190] Luke vi. 12. [2191] Luke xxii. 31, 32. [2192] Rom. viii. 35. [2193] [A vision granted t…
1,869 wordsSECTION 176Epistle IX. [2208]
Epistle IX. [2208] To the Clergy, Concerning Certain Presbyters Who Had Rashly Granted Peace to the Lapsed Before the Persecution Had Been Appeased, and Without the Privity of the Bishops. Argument.--The Argument of This Epistle is Contained in the Following Words of the XIV^th Epistle:--"To the Presbyters and Deacons," He Say…
1,204 wordsSECTION 177Epistle X. [2218]
Epistle X. [2218] To the Martyrs and Confessors Who Sought that Peace Should Be Granted to the Lapsed. Argument.--The Occasion of This Letter is Given Below in Epistle XIV. As Follows:--"When I Found that Those Who Had Polluted Their Hands and Mouths with Sacrilegious Contact, or Had No Less Infected Their Conscience with Wick…
1,211 wordsSECTION 178Epistle XI. [2224]
Epistle XI. [2224] To the People. Argument.--The Substance of This Letter is Also Suggested in Epistle XIV, "Among the People Also," He Says, "I Have Done What I Could to Quiet Their Minds, and Have Instructed Them to Be Retained in Ecclesiastical Discipline." 1. Cyprian to his brethren among the people who stand fast, [2225]…
784 wordsSECTION 179Epistle XII. [2230]
Epistle XII. [2230] To the Clergy, Concerning the Lapsed and Catechumens, that They Should Not Be Left Without Superintendence. Argument.--The Burden of This Letter, as of the Succeeding One, is Found Below in the XIV^th Epistle. "But Afterwards," He Says, "When Some of the Lapsed, Whether of Their Own Accord, or by the Sugges…
1,196 wordsSECTION 180Epistle XIV. [2240]
Epistle XIV. [2240] To the Presbyters and Deacons Assembled at Rome. Argument.--He Gives an Account of His Withdrawal and of the Things Which He Did Therein, Having Sent to Rome for His Justification, Copies of the Letters Which He Had Written to His People; Nay, He Makes Use of the Same Words Which He Had Employed in Them. [2…
862 wordsSECTION 181Epistle XV. [2244]
Epistle XV. [2244] To Moyses and Maximus, and the Rest of the Confessors. Argument.--The Burden of This Letter is Given in Epistle XXXI. Below, Where the Roman Clergy Say: "On Which Subject We Owe You, and Give You Our Deepest and Abundant Thanks, that You Threw Light into the Gloom of Their Prison by Your Letters." [2245] 1.…
1,335 wordsSECTION 182Epistle XVI. [2247]
Epistle XVI. [2247] The Confessors to Cyprian. Argument.--A Certificate Written in the Name of the Martyrs by Lucianus. All the confessors to father [2248] Cyprian, greeting. Know that, to all, concerning whom the account of what they have done since the commission of their sin has been, in your estimation, satisfactory, we h…
898 wordsSECTION 183Epistle XIX. [2259]
Epistle XIX. [2259] Cyprian Replies to Caldonius. Argument.--Cyprian Treats of Nothing Peculiar in This Epistle, Beyond Acquiescing in the Opinion of Caldonius, to Wit, that Peace Should Not Be Refused to Such Lapsed As, by a True Repentance and Confession of the Name of Christ, Have Deserved It, and Have Therefore Returned to…
1,755 wordsSECTION 184Epistle XXI. [2273]
Epistle XXI. [2273] Lucian Replies to Celerinus. Argument.--Lucian Assents to the Petition of Celerinus. 1. Lucian to Celerinus, his lord, and (if I shall be worthy to be called so) colleague in Christ, greeting. I have received your letter, most dearly beloved lord and brother, in which you have so laden me with expressions …
858 wordsSECTION 185Epistle XXII. [2280]
Epistle XXII. [2280] To the Clergy Abiding at Rome, Concerning Many of the Confessors, and Concerning the Forwardness of Lucian and the Modesty of Celerinus the Confessor. Argument.--In This Letter Cyprian Informs the Roman Clergy of the Seditious Demand of the Lapsed to Be Restored to Peace, and of the Forwardness of Lucian. …
1,233 wordsSECTION 186Epistle XXIII. [2284]
Epistle XXIII. [2284] To the Clergy, on the Letters Sent to Rome, and About the Appointment of Saturus as Reader, and Optatus as Sub-Deacon. a.d. 250. Argument.--The Clergy are Informed by This Letter of the Ordination of Saturus and Optatus, and What Cyprian Had Written to Rome. Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, his bre…
1,215 wordsSECTION 187Epistle XXV. [2290]
Epistle XXV. [2290] Moyses, Maximus, Nicostratus, and the Other Confessors Answer the Foregoing Letter. a.d. 250. Argument.--They Gratefully Acknowledge the Consolation Which the Roman Confessors Had Received from Cyprian's Letter. Martyrdom is Not a Punishment, But a Happiness. The Words of the Gospel are Brands to Inflame Fa…
2,257 wordsSECTION 188Epistle XXVI. [2309]
[2290] Oxford ed.: Ep. xxxi. [This epistle shows that Cyprian's gentle reproof of their former implied regret at his retreat (see p. 280, supra) had been effective.] [2291] [Note this testimony to the universality of the persecution. Vol. iv. p. 125, this series.] [2292] Supplicia sua post fidem amare coepisse. [2293] Matt. x…
986 wordsSECTION 189Epistle XXVII. [2315]
Epistle XXVII. [2315] To the Presbyters and Deacons. Argument.--The Argument of This Letter is Sufficiently in Agreement with the Preceding, and It Appears that It is the One of Which He Speaks in the Following Letter; For He Praises His Clergy for Having Rejected from Communion Gaius of Didda, a Presbyter, and His Deacon, Who…
812 wordsSECTION 190Epistle XXVIII. [2324]
Epistle XXVIII. [2324] To the Presbyters and Deacons Abiding at Rome. Argument.--The Roman Clergy are Informed of the Temerity of the Lapsed Who Were Demanding Peace. Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons abiding at Rome, his brethren, greeting. Both our common love and the reason of the thing demand, beloved brethren, that I…
1,671 wordsSECTION 191Epistle XXX. [2330]
Epistle XXX. [2330] The Roman Clergy to Cyprian. Argument.--The Roman Clergy Enter into the Matters Which They Had Spoken of in the Foregoing Letter, More Fully and Substantially in the Present One; Replying, Moreover, to Another Letter of Cyprian, Which is Thought Not to Be Extant, and from Which They Quote a Few Words. They …
2,347 wordsSECTION 192Epistle XXXI. [2353]
8. Desiring to maintain the moderation of this middle course in these matters, we for a long time, and indeed many of us, and, moreover, with some of the bishops who are near to us and within reach, and some whom, placed afar off, the heat of the persecution had driven out from other provinces, [2350] have thought that nothing n…
877 wordsSECTION 193Epistle XXXII. [2356]
Epistle XXXII. [2356] To the Clergy and People, About the Ordination of Aurelius as a Reader. Argument.--Cyprian Tells the Clergy and People that Aurelius the Confessor Has Been Ordained a Reader by Him, and Commends, by the Way, the Constancy of His Virtue and His Mind, Whereby He Was Even Deserving of a Higher Degree in the …
733 wordsSECTION 194Epistle XXXIII. [2360]
Epistle XXXIII. [2360] To the Clergy and People, About the Ordination of Celerinus as Reader. Argument.--This Letter is About the Same in Purport with the Preceding, Except that He Largely Commends the Constancy of Celerinus in His Confession of the Faith. Moreover, that Both of These Letters Were Written During His Retreat, i…
1,418 wordsSECTION 195Epistle XXXIV. [2368]
Epistle XXXIV. [2368] To the Same, About the Ordination of Numidicus as Presbyter. Argument.--Cyprian Tells the Clergy and People that Numidicus Has Been Ordained by Him Presbyter; And Briefly Commends His Worth. Cyprian to the presbyters and deacons, and to the whole people, his brethren, very dear and longed-for, greeting. …
703 wordsSECTION 196Epistle XXXVI. [2373]
Epistle XXXVI. [2373] To the Clergy, Bidding Them Show Every Kindness to the Confessors in Prison. Argument.--He Exhorts His Clergy that Every Kindness and Care Should Be Exercised Towards the Confessors, as Well Towards Those Who Were Alive, as Those Who Died, in Prison; That the Days of Their Death Should Be Carefully Noted,…
731 wordsSECTION 197Epistle XXXVII. [2378]
Epistle XXXVII. [2378] To Caldonius, Herculanus, and Others, About the Excommunication of Felicissimus. Argument.--Felicissimus, Together with His Companions in Sedition, is to Be Restrained from the Communion of All. 1. Cyprian to Caldonius and Herculanus, his colleagues, also to Rogatianus and Numidicus, his fellow-presbyte…
703 wordsSECTION 198Epistle XXXVIII. [2381]
Epistle XXXVIII. [2381] The Letter of Caldonius, Herculanus, and Others, on the Excommunication of Felicissimus with His People. Argument.--Caldonius, Herculanus, and Others Carry into Effect What the Preceding Letter Had Bidden Them. Caldonius, with Herculanus and Victor, his colleagues, also with Rogatianus and Numidicus, p…
2,379 wordsSECTION 199Epistle XL. [2401]
[2385] Oxford ed.: Ep. xliii. a.d. 251. [2386] Some read "Britius" or "Briccius." [2387] "Clericis urbicis," scil. the "Roman city clergy." [A very important example of the concurrent action of the clergy of the metropolis with those of sister churches.] [2388] "Romæ" scil. "across the sea, at Rome." [The African canons forba…
905 wordsSECTION 200Epistle XLI. [2408]
Epistle XLI. [2408] To Cornelius, About Cyprian's Approval of His Ordination, and Concerning Felicissimus. Argument.--Cyprian Excuses Himself for Not Having Without Hesitation Believed in the Ordination of Cornelius, Until He Received the Letters of His Colleagues Caldonius And Fortunatus, Which Fully Testified to Its Legitima…
1,392 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.